Education
Makerere University Hosts Exchange Students from Norway for Field-Based Learning in Uganda
The Department of Adult and Community Education, under the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, is currently hosting 17 exchange students from the University of Agder, Norway, as part of a one-month field course. The program, which began with an induction on January 6th, 2025, aims to provide the students with practical learning experiences at both the university and community levels.
Immersive Learning in Uganda
The exchange program is designed to immerse students in the everyday realities of life in Uganda. A highlight of the initiative is a one-week homestay in Mbale, where students will live with local households. This arrangement provides a unique opportunity for the students to experience the cultural, social, and economic aspects of daily life in Uganda, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the community. Makerere University is partnering with Mission: Moving Mountains, a Christian Organization in Mbale to organize the home stays and coordinate Community Learning
Beyond the homestay, the students will engage in community and household-based learning activities in the Eastern and Northern regions of Uganda. These activities will include interactions with local families, community leaders, and organizations, enabling them to appreciate the intricate relationships between culture, gender, education, and development in Uganda.
This Field Course Program is Coordinated by Dr. Watuleke Joseph and Ms. Nuluyati Nalwadda at the Department of Adult and Community Education and this is the 7th cohort since 2017 with the 2021 conducted virtually due to COVID-19
Induction Ceremony Highlights
The induction ceremony, held at Makerere University, introduced the exchange students to Uganda’s rich cultural heritage and the socio-economic dynamics that shape family and community life. Key sessions included:
- An Overview of Ugandan Culture, which explored traditions, norms, and values.
- Gender, Culture, and Education, focusing on how these intersect to influence marriage and family life in Uganda.
The event was graced by the Dean of the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, emphasized the importance of international partnerships in fostering cross-cultural understanding and advancing lifelong learning. She remarked:
“This program is a testament to the power of collaboration in education. By bringing students from diverse backgrounds into our communities, we create a platform for mutual learning and cultural exchange. The knowledge gained here will not only enrich the students’ academic journey but also contribute to building bridges between Uganda and Norway. I encourage you to immerse yourselves fully in this experience, embrace the culture, and build lasting connections.”
Dr. Nabushawo also highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to offering transformative educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom, reinforcing the institution’s role as a leader in lifelong learning and community engagement.
She also encouraged them to engage in tourism in an effort to enjoy their stay in Uganda.
The Head of the Department of Adult and Community Education, Dr. Stella Achen. Also welcomed the students to Makerere University and commended the initiative for its focus on community-based learning. She noted:
“This program is unique in its approach to education. By stepping out of the university and into Ugandan households and communities, you are not just learning about our culture—you are living it. I urge you to approach this journey with curiosity, respect, and an open mind. The communities you will engage with have rich knowledge and stories to share. In turn, you can contribute by sharing your perspectives, fostering an exchange of ideas that benefits all parties involved.”
Dr. Achen also commended the households in Mbale for their hospitality and willingness to host the students, underscoring the vital role of communities in creating impactful learning opportunities.
On their second day of stay, the students were guided by the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Muggaga, who shared his vast experience with different cultures in different countries and advised the students to embrace cultural diversity and tolerance, knowing that culture differs from context to context. He also advised them on personal safety and security, noting that while Uganda is a safe country, they should not be found moving alone especially at night as bad people could take advantage of them. He assured them of University Management Support while delivering the greetings from the Vice Chancellor and his deputies.
A Shared Commitment to Lifelong Learning
The exchange program is a reflection of Makerere University’s dedication to lifelong learning and community engagement. It provides a unique opportunity for the students to explore Uganda’s socio-cultural landscape while gaining practical skills that will enrich their academic and professional careers.
As the program unfolds, it is expected to strengthen the partnership between Makerere University and the University of Agder, fostering a legacy of collaboration that benefits students, faculty, and communities in both countries.
On 17th June 2025, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga hosted a meeting with Dr. Hanan Al Malki, the Director of Program and Centre Planning and Management at the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, aimed at building institutionalized partnerships in language education in Uganda and globally.
The proposed collaboration presents Makerere University with a golden opportunity to increase the number of students studying the Arabic language at the Undergraduate and Masters’ degree levels respectively through provision of scholarships, as well as, staff and student exchange programmes.
With reference to the 2024/2025 academic year, over 40 students are studying Arabic Language studies under the Bachelor of Arts with Education degree programme, and two (2) students studying the Arabic language at the Masters degree level at the College of Education and External Studies.
Welcoming Director Malki to the College, Prof. Mugagga expressed the readiness of staff members to collaborate with reputable partners to promote language education in Uganda and globally. He was delighted that through this meeting, the College had embarked on a fruitful discussion to partner with an international academy established to teach, promote and preserve the Arabic language.
The meeting brought on board the following academic staff at Makerere University: Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke-Head, Department of Humanities and Language Education, Dr. Ayoub Twahir Sekitto-Coordinator Arabic Languages at the School of Education, and Dr. Ibrahim Ssali- Coordinator Arabic Language, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Committed to forging collaboration with the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University, Dr. Malki disclosed that partnering with universities was one of the most effective strategies in the promotion of the Arabic language, and revival of the Arabic culture in Uganda. In line with advancing the Arabic culture and values globally, Dr. Malki emphasized the academy’s focus on language planning, computational linguistics, education, and culture.
Contributing to the discussion on examining proficiency in the language, Dr. Malki recommended the use of digital testing to measure students’ proficiency in Arabic language.
During the meeting, both parties agreed to actively participate in the rejuvenation of Arabic studies at Makerere University and Uganda at large, through frameworks and institutionalized approaches guided by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU would set parameters for the collaboration integrating the proposed hosting of an Arabic Centre at Makerere University, provision of scholarships, staff and student mobility programmes, joint lectures and supervision, and establishment of teaching and learning facilities.
The College Principal supported the proposal to establish a specialized Arabic Institute with a Language Auditorium. According to Prof. Mugagga, the facility would provide one-stop centre for the teaching of the Arabic language and cultural exchange.
The Head of the Department of Humanities and Language Education, Dr. Kiggundu Musoke stressed the need to prioritize teacher training in the Arabic language field. He explained that through its degree programmes, the College of Education and External Studies trains a number of students/teachers, who on completion of their studies, contribute to the teaching, promotion and dissemination of the Arabic language in Uganda and beyond. However, the demand to enroll for the Arabic language studies is curtailed by the financial limitations faced by some of the prospective applicants.
Convinced that if the prospective students are supported financially to access University education the student enrollment in Arabic language studies would increase to the desired levels, Dr. Kiggundu Musoke urged members to expedite the finalization of the MoU to boost collaboration and provision of scholarships to both staff and students.
Makerere University has taken a significant step toward transforming its digital education landscape with the unveiling and stakeholder review of its Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL). The consultative workshop, held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Hotel Africana, brought together university leadership, academic staff, student representatives, and development partners to review the 10-year roadmap aimed at scaling access to quality, affordable, and inclusive education.
The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, who represented the Vice Chancellor. In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza underscored the transformative potential of the KOICA-supported initiative.
“This project is a significant milestone in our journey to enhance the university’s capacity in ODeL,” he noted. “With support from the people of the Republic of Korea, KOICA’s grant will enable us to strengthen our ODeL infrastructure, develop high-quality digital content, and build staff capacity. This investment will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on our institution and the wider education sector in Uganda.”
Prof. Buyinza also paid tribute to the late Prof. Sung Seyeoung, the head of the Project Management Consultant team in Seoul, who passed away earlier this year, describing him as “a dedicated partner in this transformative journey.”
The project, which began in 2024, is being implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS). It focuses on three core components: development of a strategic and contextualized ODeL masterplan; capacity building for academic, administrative, and technical staff; and enhancement of ODeL infrastructure, including a new Learning Management System (LMS), Content Management System (CMS), ICT equipment, and the construction of a dedicated ODeL building.
Professor Henry Alinaitwe, the Project Investigator, emphasized the forward-looking nature of the initiative. “Through this masterplan, we are not only expanding access to higher education across Uganda and beyond, but also redefining how knowledge is delivered in the 21st century,” he said.
The workshop aimed to disseminate information about the masterplan, gather stakeholder feedback, and prepare the document for preliminary approvals by the University Senate and Council. The draft was developed by a joint task force composed of Ugandan and Korean experts, including representatives from KNOU, KDS, Makerere’s Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODel), and the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS).
Prof. Alinaitwe noted that all three project components are progressing steadily. Training sessions are underway both in Uganda and Korea, and the design for the Mak-ODeL building is currently 60% complete, with construction expected to commence later in the year.
The ODeL Master Plan (2025–2035) envisions Makerere as a regional hub for digital education. It outlines strategies to increase the number of accredited ODeL programmes, enhance ICT infrastructure, improve content development, and ensure that distance learners can access high-quality and flexible education through the university’s Moodle-based MUELE platform.
Speaking at the workshop, KOICA Country Director Ms. Ahn Jihee commended Makerere for its commitment to digital transformation. “We believe education is a powerful driver of national development, and we are proud to partner with Makerere University on this ambitious journey,” she said. “Our partnership is not just about technology, but about building resilient systems and empowered people who can shape the future.”
She also recognized the efforts of both Ugandan and Korean teams and encouraged continued dialogue and knowledge sharing.
Currently, only 8 of Makerere’s academic programmes are offered through ODeL. However, the university’s Strategic Plan (2020–2030) envisions a substantial increase in that number. The new masterplan draws from international best practices including models from KNOU, Hanoi Open University, and the Africa Virtual University.
Prof. Alinaitwe extended special thanks to KOICA and its Kampala-based experts Prof. Kim Hyunjoo and Mr. Kim Kihun for their ongoing support, and acknowledged the contributions of the Makerere team—Prof. Paul Muyinda, Dr. Godfrey Mayende, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, Dr. Richard Kajumbula, Mr. Samuel Mugabi, and Co-PI Dr. Venny Nakazibwe.
“We are laying the foundation for a future where Makerere University can provide education that is not just accessible, but also adaptable to the needs of learners wherever they may be,” he concluded.
The masterplan, once finalized and approved, is expected to usher in a new era of blended, learner-centered education that meets both local and global demands.
In his closing remarks, Professor Anthony Mugagga, who represented the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), applauded participants for their insightful engagement. He emphasized the need for academic units to take ownership of ODeL implementation.
“The future of education is blended and borderless,” Prof. Mugagga said. “We must collectively embrace this shift—not just through policy, but through action: by developing new programmes, supporting learners, and investing in infrastructure that will carry us into the next generation of higher education.”
He also expressed appreciation to KOICA for its continued support and funding, which he said is helping to shape a more resilient and inclusive education system for Uganda and the region.
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